Top Ten for Price at Badminton
Monday, 12 May 2014

Costly rails in the showjumping saw Tim Price slip from the podium in the final phase of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton International Horse Trials in the United Kingdom this morning.

But the 36-year-old will still be pleased to have steered his 11-year-old Irish bred sport horse Ringwood Sky Boy (owned by Robert Taylor, Selwood.com and Price) to ninth place in one of the most dramatic Badminton events ever.

The combination moved from 41st after the dressage to second going into the showjumping after notching the fastest cross country round of the day, but dropped four rails and picked up time faults this morning to finish on 80.6 penalty points – 12.7 adrift of the winner Sam Griffiths (Aus) aboard Paulank Brockagh who won on 67.9.

Price won the inaugural William Miflin Memorial Trophy for going clear and closest to the optimum time in the cross country. Before today, Price’s best efforts at a four star event was 20th. It was Ringwood Sky Boy’s first Badminton, and became one no-one will forget.

Andrew Nicholson’s former horse Armada, ridden by Oliver Townend (GBR) was second with 70.7 and Harry Meade (GBR) third on Wild Lone with 71.4.

Overnight leader Paul Tapner (Aus) and Kilronan bagged 16 faults in the showjumping to finish fourth.

Lucy Jackson and 13-year-old Willy Do (owned by Gillian Greenlees and Jackson) slid just outside of the top 10 with their 84 point final score after picking up eight jump and four time faults in the showjumping.

Jackson rode her first Badminton last year, and had to withdraw Willy Do after the dressage.

Sir Mark Todd and Leonidas II (owned by Diane Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Todd) dropped the first and last fences and picked up time faults to complete Badminton with 91 penalty points in 14th place.

It was the first-ever four star star for 10-year-old Leonidas.

“This reminded me a little of when I first came to Badminton in 1980 – it was a cross country test. Some of us felt that in the last few years it hasn’t become that – it was more and more of a dressage competition,”said Todd.

“It was great and a proper test. Hopefully the course designer doesn’t get frightened and back off too much. I loved it – it was great. It was certainly very hard work but that is what cross country at this level is all about.

Todd said it had been a slightly frustrating Badminton for him but he looked forward to returning next year.

The showjumping this morning proved every bit as tricky for the 32 riders left in the field. While not technical, it was big and fair, and the only clear round came from the 12th placed Wendy Schaeffer (Aus), who also had time faults aboard Koyuna Sun Dancer.

Eighty-three started the dressage at Badminton, but yesterday’s very influential cross country course – which many say produced one of the most exciting days in eventing ever – saw many top combinations fall by the way side.

For full results, head to http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/index.php/final-results-2014/ .
The next big one for the world’s top eventers will be Luhmuhlen in Germany next month.
The fact file:
• The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is considered the world’s “most prestigious” three day event
• For more information head to www.badminton-horse.co.uk
• The event is part of the FEI Classics Series includes the six CCI4* events – Pau (FRA), Australian International 3DE (AUS), Kentucky (USA), Badminton (GBR), Luhmuhlen (GER) and Burghley (GBR).